Despite the loss of the engine, he managed to safely bring the plane down onto the grass, just off the runway at RNAS Culdrose.

The aircraft sustained only minor external damage while Lt Cdr Gotke had no significant injuries.

He is the Commanding Officer of the Historic Flight based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, and said "I am honoured to be awarded the Air Force Cross, I was shocked but extremely pleased when I was told".

His citation reads: His extraordinary and instinctive flying skills prevented the very real chance of a catastrophic civilian loss of life and minimised damage to a historically important aircraft in one of the finest examples of gallantry in the air during peacetime.

The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy. The medal is a silver cross representing aircraft propeller blades, with wings between the arms.